marketing: Maybe you're right? Maybe the seller doesn't care? - 09/19/09 06:43 AM
I've read hundreds of discussions here at ActiveRain regarding the fact that "print is dead", "flyers are a waste of money", etc. The mantra for 2009 (especially in light of the housing market's downturn) is that the internet is where it's at...and that anything having to do with print advertising is sooooo 2003.Well...YOU might believe that, but your sellers may not agree.The seller on a 3.5 million dollar home expects a little more than just an $8.00 vFlyer and a Featured Listing on your website. And his neighbors are watching to see what kind of agent you are in the event they need to … (6 comments)
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marketing: One Realtor's Idea of a Really Unique Business Card! - 07/09/09 11:34 AM
One of our top customers, Dee Messing from First Team Real Estate in Southern California, faxed over an order form the other day. She needs more business cards. Here in California, a new bill was passed requiring that agents put their DRE license number on all of their marketing that is considered a "first point of contact" with the consumer. Business cards, flyers, postcards, etc.But Dee wanted something different. She wanted to stand out.She asked if I had any ideas how to make a business card really unique, and during that conversation, the idea of a "bookmark business card" came up. … (16 comments)
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marketing: Anatomy of a Real Estate Logo Design - 07/08/09 08:29 AM
Hi everyone!We've had a lot of inquiries lately on personal branding and logo design. What's involved, how much it costs, etc. Apparently, many agents are realizing that if they don't have a unique "look and feel", it may be difficult to distinguish themselves from the rest of the pack.As a result, I thought I'd share with you a little bit about the process. It's kind of fun to watch somthing go from a plain white "sheet of paper" (actually my computer monitor)...to a finished product. Well..in ths case, it's not quite finished yet...but hopefully will be by the end of the … (11 comments)
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marketing: Latest Twitter Page Makeover...and yes, only $39.00! - 06/26/09 03:05 PM
Hi everyone!We recently had the great pleasure to work with David Serle with REMAX in Boca Raton Florida. He had seen one of my previous Twitter makeover blogs...and felt it was time to perhaps give his a revamp.So, below are the before and afters (thank you David for letting us show these!).Hmm...this is almost like home staging for the web!! LOL!Here's the "Before" page:And here's the "After" page (branded to match his website):If your Twitter page, or AR blog header, or AR profile could use a "makeover", (or you have any other design needs, from business cards, to personal brochures, postcards, etc.) call … (9 comments)
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marketing: Realty Source's Twitter and Blog Header Makeover ($39.00 ea.) - 06/23/09 10:34 AM
Hi everyone!Scott Engle from Realty Source, Inc. was kind enough to let us share with all of you the recent makeovers we did on both their Twitter page and their Active Rain Blog Header.$39.00 each (not bad for a professional look and feel compared to the standard Twitter page, or no blog header at all!)If it's time you got rid of this...And you want something nicer, give us a call! We'd love to give you a hand!DavePh: (951) 652-8365
… (1 comments)
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marketing: "Pimping" your Twitter Page (Realtor example inside) - 06/15/09 07:27 PM
I recently blogged about Twitter. I'm a newbie over there...and for the first few days of my "Twitter Life", I was using the standard layout which we're all familiar with.Looks something like this:(That's not my page by the way.) I'm just using it as an example since I've already customized my own page which can be found here: http://twitter.com/FlyersToYouIn any case...a number of fellow Rainers wanted to see an example of what a Realtor page might look like after customization. So, I thought I'd use Jennifer Rotellini's branding to give you an idea. I kinda threw this together rather quickly this morning as … (6 comments)
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marketing: I know it's just a matter of opinion...but what's yours? - 06/10/09 10:27 PM
We have a customer who just opened up her own bookkeeping service. We did her logo and branding..and she recently asked us to do a trifold brochure about her company.She gave us several examples of brochures that her competitors had done...and said she wanted hers to be better! LOL! All of our customers want that!Well...below is her new brochure. I'll have a question or two after you take a look.Here's my question.I know it's just a matter of opinion...but I believe most people would say that the brochure we created has a higher-end, more professional feeling to it. If you were … (19 comments)
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marketing: Are you using Follow Up Notecards (or need some?) - 06/03/09 07:16 PM
Follow Up NotecardsPerfect for all kinds of follow up! Just met someone at the grocery store? Send a "It was nice meeting you" notecard. A past client's anniversary coming up? Send a notecard. Received an inquiry from your website or blog? Follow up notecard. There are only a million or so reasons to send one!To prove how effective they can be, we're offering 1,000 full-color, extremely high gloss finish on front (matte finish on writing side) 4"x6" notecards for only $99.00! This doesn't include tax and shipping, but it DOES include a professional layout FREE!!Month of June only!I figure each month we can … (1 comments)
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marketing: Wholesale Printing Site for Fellow ActiveRainers is Now Up and Running! - 05/31/09 03:33 PM
Our wholesale print site is now up and running!www.PrintAtWholesale.com
Just wanted to take a moment to let all of you know that we're making our ridiculously low wholesale print prices available to all ActiveRainers effective immediately! Woohoo!!
We were initially only going to make it available to trade and industry professionals, such as graphic designers, marketing agencies, etc. A place where they could go, order high-quality color printing, and resell it at a nice profit. It then occured to us that many in the real estate industry have pulled way back on their marketing due to costs...and I thought maybe we … (4 comments)
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marketing: Business Card Makeovers...(how do you know when you need one?) - 05/09/09 01:33 AM
Business Card Makeovers (how do you know when you need one?)The last couple days have been interesting. We've had soooo many requests for Business Card Makeovers lately that I'm beginning to wonder if spring fever is in the air??!! Time to clean the house, reorganize, and take a closer look at one of your most important "first impression" marketing pieces.Your business card.Above are three examples of makeover requests that came to us yesterday. The first two are for businesses owned by the same guy. Rod's been using his old business cards for a lonnnnnnng time (they're the faded ones in the background behind … (9 comments)
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marketing: Is "Connie Clueless" Selling More Real Estate Than YOU??? - 05/03/09 03:06 PM
Rita Burke posted a great blog the other day about being at a garage sale...and overhearing a conversation between a woman and the homeowner. The woman turned out to be a Realtor (Rita aptly named her "Connie Clueless"), as it quickly became evident that "Connie" wasn't very polished, didn't know the local market at all, and well...also didn't have the greatest people skills.I hope Rita doesn't mind me using the "Connie Clueless" character here, but I wanted to post the comments I left on her blog...as its own blog here. The reason?? Most of the discussion at Rita's blog were commentaries regarding the lack of professionalism, … (13 comments)
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marketing: How to work EXPIREDS (Caution: Not for the faint of heart!) - 05/01/09 04:21 AM
Sorry for the "in your face" graphic above...but it sorta "sets the stage" for this particular blog entry. As some of you are aware from reading my recent blog about overpriced listings, I'm one of those who thinks a little "left of center." It's an occupational hazard, I guess....or perhaps just a personality flaw. LOL!Nonetheless, it served me quite well when I sold real estate...and I used many ideas that were definitely different from what "everyone else" seemed to be doing at the time. I hated being like everyone else, sounding like everyone else, looking like everyone else and earning like everyone else! I know it's the … (13 comments)
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marketing: A Solution for Overpriced Listings?? - 04/24/09 07:13 AM
There was a blog the other day which talked about overpriced listings. I posted a reply...and at the request of a fellow AR member, I'm posting that response as its very own blog. Hopefully, it'll offer some of you a new (and hopefully interesting and effective) way to handle those overpriced listing situations everyone seems to be running into lately.All of us know too well that many, many agents will take overpriced listings as "business generators". They feel that at least they'll have a sign in the yard for the whole neighborhood to see!! Maybe it'll look like they're actually doing business, when in actuality all they're … (138 comments)
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marketing: Can you blog about a development or property if it's not your listing?? - 08/31/08 04:28 PM
Well...I did it again. I managed to have one of my comments deleted from another member's post because of what I said.Most of you know by now that I'm not one to offer "Atta Girl's" or simply agree with the original poster in the name of political correctness. If it seems wrong, I can't bring myself to type "You Go Girl" and instead will present my honest opinion on where something possibly went wrong.Today's topic?Blogging about a new development or another agent's listing without permission.With Localism on the rise, there's a tendency to want to blog about all current happenings in … (66 comments)
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marketing: So you don't think Walmart Real Estate will happen? Think again. - 08/26/08 04:16 PM
Saturday morning, my daughter and I went up to our local coffee hangout...placed our order....and sat at one of the tables outside in anticipation of enjoying our favorite beverage on a warm but clear day in Southern California. I bought that morning's edition of the Los Angeles Times...and was looking forward to perusing whatever news was happening...before settling in to see how many squares I could fill on the crossword puzzle...and how bad I'd regret using my trusty pen instead of pencil.Then, there it was...in the business section.I almost couldn't breathe for a moment. I honestly think my heart stopped. NO, it … (59 comments)
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marketing: Promoting your blog (example inside) - 08/20/08 08:43 AM
Looking for a unique way to drive traffic to your blog site? We might have the answer!Yesterday, I received an email from our primary print vendor. They have a promotion going on their 2-sided, ultra-thick cardstock, full-color bookmarks. Well...we don't do a lot of bookmarks, but it gave me an idea!Why not use them to promote your blog?????They measure 1.5 x 7" and are inexpensive!! They're also finished with an extreme gloss UV coating and look incredible (for anyone who's ordered our business cards...they're printed using the exact same cardstock and finish). I thought it would be fun to create an example of what a … (10 comments)
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marketing: Personal Branding...does it really matter? (TEST INSIDE) - 08/17/08 03:20 AM
So...there seems to be a lot of discussion here on the Rain about Personal Branding. Is it necessary...or is it not? Is it too "all about me"...or can it really help grow your business?Well...as the owner of a national real estate marketing firm...my answer is probably obvious.But I don't want to push my opinions on you. I'd much rather you decide for yourself. So I created a very simple test. Oh, don't worry...it's an easy one...and I'm sure ALL of you will pass with (excuse the phrase) FLYING COLORS!So here goes. Ready??
That was easy wasn't it? They're all examples of branding. And … (25 comments)
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marketing: My First Deleted Comment!! On MARKETING nonetheless!!! - 07/21/08 10:30 PM
With all due respect to Linda Scanlan and her marketing blog entitled "You spend WHAT on Marketing???", I don't mind saying that I feel a little perplexed (actually a bit slighted) by her deleting a comment of mine this morning. That's the first time I've ever had that happen here…and I guess I’m a bit shocked!! No email notification...no request to edit. Just a click of a button and :::poof::: DELETED!
I'm trying to be understanding and give her every benefit of the doubt. I like Linda’s blogs…and I found her marketing post to be of EXTRA interest given what I do for a living. Perhaps … (23 comments)
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marketing: Couples and Team Marketing Samples - 07/21/08 12:22 AM
Seems like lately we've been getting a lot of requests for Couples and/or Team marketing examples, so I thought I'd put together a quick collage of some of the work we've done recently. It's really no different than when marketing yourself as a solo agent, as branding is still a major priority in ensuring there's a consistent "look and feel" to your campaign strategies.The difference may be in what your message is. Often, teams and couples will do the "two for the price of one" or "double the real estate service" types of messages....but here I go being opinionated again! It doesn't matter whether … (11 comments)
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